No, Rod Serling was not present to mysteriously announce my entrance. And no, I did not pass through some invisible portal in my bedroom closet. Nonetheless, I found myself locked somewhere between time and space. Yes, I was in the Twenty Year High School Reunion.

On our nation's Bicentennial, I graduated from Orange Glen High School in Escondido. After twenty years, I live only thirty miles away. So, it would seem, that I would have kept up with some of the 320 or more people with whom I graduated. Well, as the law of California transiency goes, I do not need two hands to count the people with whom I still had contact.

The reunion was not as bizarre as I had anticipated. But, it stirred up memories of significant moments in my high school years, which have been operative elements in establishing the person I am today. I cannot even begin to cover the influence of my late waterpolo, and swimming coach, Bill Rutledge; nor the grace of my French teacher, Mrs. Lent; nor the humor of my drafting teacher Mr. Villalobos; nor yet the power of my history and humanities teacher, Mrs. Jacques. However, I can share a short moment at the end of my sophomore year English class, which remains indelibly inked upon the notepad of my mind.

Mr. Parker was the teacher. He was notoriously tough. Some students were rather afraid of him. It was said that he was an ex-Green Beret. It was rumored that he busted the arm of a student, who punched a female faculty member, during a school dance. Whether these tales were true, or apocryphal, I cannot say. But, I can say, I liked Mr. Parker a lot.

At the end of the school year, He spoke one by one to every student in the class, and he did this for all to hear. He told us of attributes he recognized in us, both the strengths, and the weaknesses, and he spoke of how these character traits would influence our future. The words he spoke to Phil Wyman in that moment have left a haunting impression, which follows me to this day. He read the pages of my personality clearly, and prophetically spoke something like this, "Phil Wyman, everything comes easy to you. As a result, you do not take anything seriously. If you do not learn to work hard for improvement, you shall excel at nothing." Hard words, yet graciously spoken. Mr. Parker, thank you for a most significant moment.

I have seen, that this is indeed a major struggle in my life. I have hunted this curse, and sought to slay it. I have learned, that to make life an adventure, I must extend myself, work hard, and take some risks. Through this lesson, I have developed a statement which incorporates my philosophy for living, "Life isn't worth living, unless I have something worth dying for."

Oh, the woe of small church leaders. We search our souls, and the voice of the Lord, for the answer to our dilemma: To take that risk, or not?

Every big event we attempt, costs more than the budget covers. Yet, every moment we remain undecided, increases our sense of comparable insignificance, and ingrown stagnation.

Every fundamental change we seek to implement, feeds our fears that people will leave the church. Yet, every day of status-quo, intensifies the sense that we have compromised for less than the best.

As I have previously mentioned, my first great lesson concerning spiritual warfare, was that my enemy, the devil, desired to cause me to do one of two things: 1) over-react to a situation, or 2) under-react to a situation. He also would desire that I either over-extend myself, or under-extend myself in the work of the ministry. This holds true for the finances of the church, and for the decisions concerning corporate direction. So, what are we to do? When do we extend ourselves?

Here are a few guidelines, we might keep in mind, to help us in our decisions:

1. I will not mortgage my future for the sake of present excitement. If an event will cost more than the budget can cover in a few months time, it had better be put off until we have raised the money first. I choose to remain frugal with the money spent on rent, or the purchase of facilities as well. If this category of spending comes anywhere near 50% of the total income, trouble is already biting at my heels.

2. I will not fear the opinions of those who consistently complain. Face it, they are not going to be happy, no matter what you do.

3. I will consider the opinions of those who are loyal, and committed to the Lord, the church, and myself. Hey, these are the people who make things happen!

4. I will weigh the evangelism factor. If the change, or the event I am considering has little evangelistic motivation in it, I will be much less inclined to consider it.

5. I will weigh the edification factor. If the church is not profited in spiritual growth, forget it.

6. I will plan for the future, and seek to give sufficient time to accomplish each endeavor with excellence. You know the adage, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."

7. I will obey God, but I will do my best to make sure it's Him, and not myself I am hearing.